If anyone needed further proof that Liverpool are the real deal under Arne Slot then it came at the weekend.
Trailing 1-0 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, the Reds produced a rousing second-half comeback to win 2-1.
And it was a win that ensured they will be top of the Premier League going into the final weekend of fixtures before the last international break of the campaign
Slot's side displaced Manchester City at the summit after the defending champions saw their 32-match unbeaten league run come to an end
City lost 2-1 at Bournemouth, who in their previous home game had beaten Arsenal 2-0.
That result sent the Gunners into a mini tailspin that continued in the first top-flight game of the weekend when they were beaten 1-0 at Newcastle United.
That loss leaves Arsenal down in fifth, five points behind second-placed City and seven behind Liverpool.
while Gary Neville is refusing to rule the Gunners out of the title race, at this stage of the campaign it appears it could be another titanic battle between the current top two.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both believe City will come out on top for a record-breaking fifth season in a row but both also believe the Reds will push them all the way.
Shearer, who won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers during his playing days, said: "I would still say the favourites are Man City, but it’s close. Liverpool have been much better than I thought they would be.
Shearer
"I didn’t think they’d be challenging but they are, there’s no doubt about that. I don’t think they’re going to go away.
"I’ve been disappointed with Arsenal and I tipped them before the season started. You’d still say Man City are just favourites because they’ve been around the block."
Agreeing with Shearer on the favourites for the title, ex-Everton hero Lineker said: "City have been there, done it four times on the bounce now.
“You wonder if that will catch up with them at some point because it’s so difficult to keep having that absolute drive that gets them over the line.
"I would say they’re still favourites. I backed them at the start of the season and I wouldn’t change my mind now.
"Liverpool are genuine title contenders and I think that’s been a surprise. Following in the enormous shoes of Jurgen Klopp was always going to be difficult but Slot looks like a perfect fit."
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